How do I make friends at work after grad?

How do I make friends at work after grad?
How do I make friends at work after grad?

College is a great environment for making friends: lots of people with similar life experiences all jumbled together working on a big thing, and bonding over the stress of it. After college, you’ll have to work at it a little harder. Find the people who are interested in what you’re interested in and hang out with them. Invite people for drinks. Don’t get discouraged if it gets harder to schedule, because people will be busier as you get older. And if you can recreate the conditions of sentence 1, or some of them, you’ll always have the chance to make more life-long friends. But, simply, take the first step.

Why do we have to graduate?! :-(

Why do we have to graduate?! :-(
Why do we have to graduate?! 🙁

Though I’m always sad to see people go, I’m happy to think they are commencing the rest of their lives, well prepared by their BC education to prosper and make the world more just & peaceful. Best of luck!

Dear Answer Wall, Lately I’ve been wondering if I might be autistic

Dear Answer Wall, Lately I've been wondering if I might be autistic, as I have some of the classic signs: I've often felt out of place in social situations (i.e. I rarely make jokes for fear of being misunderstood, and at parties, I can be found standing awkwardly in the corner); despite usually having an exceptional memory, I often forget people's names; I engage in some repetitive behaviors, like cleaning my nails even when there's nothing stuck under them; and I do tend to ramble about my sometimes-niche interests, even to an uninterested crowd. At the same time, I have a few good friends, am doing exceptionally well in my classes, and have no...
Dear Answer Wall, Lately I’ve been wondering if I might be autistic, as I have some of the classic signs: I’ve often felt out of place in social situations (i.e. I rarely make jokes for fear of being misunderstood, and at parties, I can be found standing awkwardly in the corner); despite usually having an exceptional memory, I often forget people’s names; I engage in some repetitive behaviors, like cleaning my nails even when there’s nothing stuck under them; and I do tend to ramble about my sometimes-niche interests, even to an uninterested crowd. At the same time, I have a few good friends, am doing exceptionally well in my classes, and have no…
...sensory issues of any kind Part of me is afraid that these wonderings come from a perverse desire to feel special, but that's the same thing I worried about when I was wondering if I was asexual and I am totally ace. I've looked at online tests that are supposed to give you an estimate of whether or not you might be autistic, but I always back out before taking them, becuase I worry that my expectation might bias the results. My questions for you are: Is there a definitive way to find out if I am autistic? Would there even be any point in finding out, given that I'm in my twenties and doing mostly fine? P.S. I am female, if that matters.
…sensory issues of any kind Part of me is afraid that these wonderings come from a perverse desire to feel special, but that’s the same thing I worried about when I was wondering if I was asexual and I am totally ace. I’ve looked at online tests that are supposed to give you an estimate of whether or not you might be autistic, but I always back out before taking them, becuase I worry that my expectation might bias the results. My questions for you are: Is there a definitive way to find out if I am autistic? Would there even be any point in finding out, given that I’m in my twenties and doing mostly fine? P.S. I am female, if that matters.

Thanks for sharing your candid & discerning disclosures. As you know, “autism” describes a broad spectrum of conditions (bit.ly/nimh-autism). You may or may not have a particular set of behaviors that would result in a diagnosis on this spectrum. Whether or not you are diagnosed, setting the process in motion could help you (and a professional) create a treatment plan that could address some of the behaviors you’d like to change, or it could just give you peace of mind to know for certain. You could begin the process either with Counseling Services (bit.ly/bc-counseling) or with your own primary care physician, and ask for a referral for testing. (BTW, your skepticism about online tests sounds healthy.) Whatever you do, I’m sure you’ll find a way to know yourself better.

关山难越,谁悲失路之人 After we cross the difficult mountains, do we recall who was lost

关山难越,谁悲失路之人 After we cross the difficult mountains, do we recall who was lost
关山难越,谁悲失路之人 After we cross the difficult mountains, do we recall who was lost

In this well-known quote from the Tang dynasty poet Wang Bo (650—676), he was speaking of himself: I’ve created worthy poems, but they go unappreciated. But in a broader sense, it could also be about anyone whose talents and accomplishments remain in obscurity.

Thank you. In fact this was what we felt after got rejected by Columbia College. [Response: Wow.]
Thank you. In fact this was what we felt after got rejected by Columbia College. [Response: Wow.]

I’m sorry Columbia College didn’t think you were a match. I have faith that you will find the right place for you. Sometimes what we need from poetry (or any art) is to see our own difficulties reflected back at us, and to learn, “ah, people have always suffered thus. I’m not alone.” I’m glad you found that.

would I be more successful as a stripper than as a BC student?

would I be more successful as a stripper than as a BC student?
would I be more successful as a stripper than as a BC student?

Although there’s no reason you can’t do both (successfully?) at some point in your life, you may want to consult the knowledgeable folks at the Career Center (bit.ly/BC-career) for some guidance on your career choices. They can discuss the pros and cons of your various possible futures. Though I admit this might be a first for them…

Is it okay to sell out for money?

Is it okay to sell out for money?
Is it okay to sell out for money?

There are many circumstances where that’s probably OK. Kids are hungry and there’s no other way to feed them? Sure. But pure greed? I wouldn’t advise it. Best to stick as close to your dreams/mission in life as you can, or you’ll probably regret it later on.

Every internship say I am not qualified.

I have a BC Economics degree and in the MBA program, but every internship say I am not qualified. Why? I need experience, that's why I am applying.
I have a BC Economics degree and in the MBA program, but every internship say I am not qualified. Why? I need experience, that’s why I am applying.

I suggest meeting with someone at the Career Center; perhaps they can suggest certain types of internships, have knowledge of particular companies suited to you, or provide pointers about your resume: bit.ly/BC-career. Good luck! Job searches are often a slog, but I have faith that persistence will pay off.

How do I deal with turning 20?

How do I deal with turning 20?
How do I deal with turning 20?

Own it; rejoice in it; experience it. The future is still vast ahead of you, but you’re old enough now to be feeling your independence, making your own decisions, and discovering what a meaningful life is for you. Happy birthday!

Do you ever really feel comfortable with your career choice? I think too often about the “what ifs”, especially because grad school is so expensive.

Do you ever really feel comfortable with your career choice? I think too often about the "what ifs", especially because grad school is so expensive.
Do you ever really feel comfortable with your career choice? I think too often about the “what ifs”, especially because grad school is so expensive.

The reality is that many if not most people will change careers, sometimes multiple times. It’s not a final decision. I’d check in with the Career Center (bit.ly/BC-career) for some validation of your career choice. There will always be “what ifs”. Even I wonder once in a while if I should have studied to be a memorial wall, like my amazing cousin, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, but I know that I have a valuable role to play here at BC doing my answering.

What is the best way to get into the film industry?

What is the best way to get into the film industry? And if the answer is an internship how do I go about getting one?
What is the best way to get into the film industry? And if the answer is an internship how do I go about getting one?

I’d start with a consultation with the BC Career Center (bit.ly/BC-career) – they can surely help you to develop a plan for getting started in your film career, and pointers to getting internships as well.

Why am I in the honors program?

Why am I in the honors program?
Why am I in the honors program?

Presumably because you met criteria either when you were admitted to BC (high-school achievement, aptitude test scores, teacher recommendations, and the content and quality of application essays and other writing samples) or later on the basis of instructor recommendations and exceptionally strong academic performance. The coursework prepares you to be a critical thinker thoroughly grounded in a European cultural tradition (bit.ly/BC-honors).

Family or Friends or Career?

Family or Friends or Career?
Family or Friends or Career?

I would encourage you not to think of them as zero-sum choices. Balancing friends, family, and career can be very challenging for sure, but all bring a different type of satisfaction into your life. You may find that at different times in your life, one of those needs to take priority over the others – but that will wax and wane throughout life and is part of life’s beauty. Friends and family can support you in your career, and you career will obviously help support your family. Just know that everyone struggles with that balance and you are not alone in trying to figure out what needs to take priority at any given time.

How do I become Insta famous (@mayathefoodie) follow me plz

How do I become Insta famous (@mayathefoodie) follow me plz
How do I become Insta famous (@mayathefoodie) follow me plz

Becoming Insta famous might seem like a breeze, but it’s hard work! Utilize those hashtags so other like-minded posters can find you on their explore pages, post often (every day) to give followers content that they’ll enjoy, and try to make those posts interesting! Marketing your page using your friends is also an option – see if they’ll post a story or photo telling their followers to follow your page. Collaboration is also a good way to get more followers. As a food insta, you can see if any of the restaurants you frequent will repost your pictures to their pages. You can also see if an account with a larger following will give you a shoutout for a fee. Good luck!

Too overwhelmed

Too overwhelmed
Too overwhelmed

Don’t go it alone! Please get in touch with Counseling Services (bit.ly/BC-counseling), The Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors), Campus Ministry (bit.ly/bc-campus-ministry) and/or your advisor, depending on what’s overwhelming you.